Report: North Korea close to completing subs that can launch SLBMs

Vessels are bigger than North’s existing sub and equipped with multiple launchers

North Korea may have completed 80 percent of the work needed on submarines capable of launching SLBMs, or submarine-launched ballistic missiles, according to a Japanese newspaper.

The Tokyo Shimbun reported Thursday that Pyongyang has two or three missile-launch capable submarines that are almost ready to be deployed, according to UPI, which picked up the story.

The Japanese newspaper cited a North Korean source who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The new submarines can reportedly be equipped with Pyongyang’s newly developed Pukguksong-3 SLBM. They are expected to join an existing 2,000-ton Sinpo-class North Korean sub that has only one launcher. But they will be bigger — boasting a displacement of 3,000 tons and will have multiple launchers.